Truck Festival confirms it will return in 2012, but under new management

The promoters behind 'Y Not Festival' will now take charge of the Oxford festival

The organisers of Oxford’s Truck Festival have confirmed that the festival will go ahead this summer, but that it will be operating under new management.

The festival, which has taken place at Hill Farm, Steventon each July for the last 14 years, has endured a difficult 2011, with very poor ticket sales leading to intense speculation that the festival would not return this summer.

Longtime organisers Robin and Joe Bennett have confirmed that the festival will return this year, but that they will be stepping aside as organisers with the promoters of Derbyshire’s Y Not Festival taking over.

They said in a statement: “After a notoriously difficult summer of trading for Truck Festival, and festivals in general, we have decided it is time for us to step down from our role at the event. During the 14 years of its existence, the festival has suffered various threats and disasters, from floods and foot-and-mouth to finances, and taken on a life of its own. We like to think it has brought joy to a lot of people. It’s right for this tradition with so many benefits to the community to continue; a chance encounter with the organisers of Y-Not festival in Derbyshire has given it the opportunity to do so.”

They continued: “We are glad to say that, rather than finish for good or be in corporate hands, the festival in 2012 will go back to basics under the management of the Y-Not team. We feel they are the right people to take on the event, give it a fresh start and rebuild it over the next few years, and we hope you’ll give them your full support. More information will follow shortly from the new organisers; thanks for your patience and keep on trucking.”